80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
81/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
76/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
61 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on wet. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on dry and handling.
Read full
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 93% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 99% | 96% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 91% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 95% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 86% | 81% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 80 |
| Dry | 85 | 89 |
| Wet | 87 | 83 |
| Snow | 75 | 76 |
| Comfort | 78 | 79 |
| Noise | 61 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 82 | 81 |
| Handling | 84 | 87 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 93% #13/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -7.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 98% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 89% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 93% #7/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -4.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.3 | Same test |
| Price | Other | 50% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -50 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -8.8 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 91% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 70% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +20.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 14% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +35.7 | Same test |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 91% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +2.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 95% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 86% #5/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 81% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +5.1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -4.2 | Same test |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +10 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +10 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 70% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +20 | Same test |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 89% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +11 | Same test |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #4/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +2.9 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. While most users praise its predictability and grip on snow and ice, a minority of drivers report inconsistent performance in extreme cold or icy conditions and concerns regarding tread longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling in wet and dry conditions
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise output
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring performance on snow
- Strong braking performance on mixed surfaces
Cons
- Reports of rapid tread wear for some users
- Inconsistent lateral grip on ice and deep snow for some drivers
- High price point compared to competitors
- Stiff sidewall construction noted by some as harsh
Observations
- Performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW, Golf GTI) report excellent dry/wet handling, though some note a loss of steering feedback compared to summer tires.
- Heavy vehicles like the Mercedes E350 and Volvo XC70 report stable, comfortable, and balanced performance, particularly with larger wheel setups.
- Users with front-wheel-drive vehicles noted the tire provides surprising capability in challenging winter conditions, often keeping pace with 4x4 vehicles.
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet, slushy, and cold dry conditions. Users consistently praise its sporty handling and confidence-inspiring grip, though it is frequently noted that the tire's performance and longevity are compromised if used in warm temperatures or during summer months.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
- Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
- Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.
- Comfortable and relatively quiet ride quality.
- Aesthetically pleasing design with effective rim protection.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
- Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
- High price point compared to some competitors.
Observations
- Drivers of high-torque, rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles report high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain traction and control.
- Users with staggered fitments on luxury sedans (e.g., BMW 5-series, M240i) note that the tire maintains its sporty character well in cold climates.
- Some owners of heavier vehicles or those with high-horsepower setups noted that the tire's longevity is significantly reduced under aggressive driving styles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 32 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ | 17″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Continental
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on wet. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on dry and handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P scores 87 vs 83 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 89 vs 85 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 87 vs 84 on handling.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P also compared with
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.